the latest in a series of missteps from peer steinbrueck, since he was named candidate to challenge angela merkel. >> those remarks lead many to ask if he is the best candidate for the job. this is the comment that so offended the italian president. >> to a certain extent, i am appalled at kid -- that two clowns have one -- won. one is a professional clown who will not be offended by this term, mr. grillo, and the other is definitely a clown with extra testosterone. >> let's get more on this from simon young in our parliamentary studios. how much of a liability is he becoming for his party and his campaign? >> he can become a liability if the voters believe that talk like this is a sign of poor judgment rather than just straight talking. peer steinbrueck has tried to relaunch his campaign after a faltering start last year, when he made comments, suggesting that the pay for the chancellorship should be increased at a time when a lot of public servants are facing pay freezes. the thinking is he might be able to get away with, like this as an opposition politician, but as chancellor if he bec